1. Bordeaux, France
The south-western region of Bordeaux in France is one of the largest and best-known wine regions in Europe. The town of Saint-Émilion is easily accessible by regional rail from the city of Bordeaux; besides vineyard tours and wine tastings, there are also plenty of scenic and historical attractions to enjoy.
2. Porto and the Douro Valley, Portugal
The grapes used to produce port wine are cultivated along northern Portugal’s Douro River, and the railway line from Porto to Pocinho provides a spectacular and scenic journey through the wine country. Most port wine is fermented in the picturesque town of Porto, while Gaia, on the other side of the river, is where port-makers store and age their product. Tours and tastings are widely available.
3. Champagne, France
Sparkly, fizzy, golden champagne takes its name from the region of the same name, which is easily accessible by rail on a day trip from Paris. Venture into wine cellars that were dug below the city centuries ago and learn all about the magic and the science behind everyone’s favourite celebratory drink.
4. Piemonte, Italy
If you’re the kind of bride who loves nothing more than a healthy glass of Barolo or Barbaresco, head to Piemonte, in the north of Italy. Renowned for its Nebbiolo grapes, its also the region that makes Barbera d’Asti, Barbera del Monferrato and Asti Spumante. Asti and Alba, the region’s two main cities, can be reached by train from Turin.
5. La Rioja, Spain
Tempranillo, Spain’s ‘noble grape’, put this small northern region, with its hills covered in vast, sprawling vineyards, on the wine lovers’ map. The wines gain strength and body from the time they spend ageing in oak barrels. It’s around three hours by car away from Madrid.
6. Rhône Valley, France
France’s Rhône Valley produces deep, dark wines dominated by Syrah. The southern sub-region produces an array of red, white and rosé wines, and often blends of several grapes too such as in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Follow the river to the town of Tain-l’Hermitage or take a scenic drive – it’s just over an hour and a half away from Lyon – to savour rolling views of hillside vineyards and wineries.
7. Tuscany, Italy
The gorgeous Toscana region is not only famed for art and culture (hello, Florence), but also home to some of the world's most notable wines, including Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, as well as Vernaccia di San Gimignano. The dessert wine Vin Santo is also made from a variety of the region's grapes.
8. Eger, Hungary
Hungary’s most famous wine route, called ‘The Valley of the Beautiful Lady’ is located in Eger, just under two hours outside Budapest. It’s little-known outside of Hungary, making it particularly charming for the bride who doesn’t want to end up in the middle of a tourist-trap during her bachelorette. There are about 200 authentic wine cellars in the valley, engraved in rhyolite tuff caves.
9. Noto, Sicily
Noto recently got a lot of international attention for being the location fashion blogger Chiara Ferragni (The Blonde Salad) chose for her lavish nuptials to rapper Fedez – but it’s also a renowned wine region. Noto is most famous for its Muscat wines made from the Moscato Bianco grape variety and sold under the title Moscato di Noto.
10. Santorini, Greece
The gorgeous island of Santorini is Greece’s most distinctive wine region and home of the oldest vineyard in Europe. It is most famous for its Assyrtiko white wines and its sweet dessert wines, the Vinsantos. Santorini is famously romantic though, so on second thoughts, you might actually want to save this for your honeymoon…